Going (for) Broke

Millennials are having a tough time financially. They have higher levels of debt and lower levels of employment, income, and savings compared to previous generations. And this isn't just a product of coming of age during the Great Recession. Millennials are also operating in a financial marketplace that has become increasingly complex and difficult to manage.

In response, both private and public sector attention has focused on providing young people with financial education as a way to help them navigate this challenging terrain―with mixed results.

Now, in a new report, "Building Millennials' Financial Health via Financial Capability," Terri Friedline provides evidence that a different approach―promoting financial capability (financial education plus experiential learning)―is much more likely to relate to outcomes like lower amounts of debt, more money for emergencies, and less reliance on predatory financial services.

Please join us as we discuss what it means to be financially capable and explore promising new solutions to connect Millennials and younger generations to the resources they need to manage the complicated financial conditions they face.

​A light breakfast will be served.

Follow the discussion online using #GoingForBroke and following @AssetsNAF.

Participants:

Terri Friedline
Author, "Building Millennials' Financial Health via Financial Capability"
Assistant Professor, University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare
Faculty Director, Center on Assets, Education, and Inclusion, University of Kansas
Research Fellow, Asset Building Program, New America

Gary Mottola
Research Director, FINRA Investor Education Foundation

Parker Cohen
Senior Program Manager, Corporation for Enterprise Development

Sunaena Chhatry
Senior Policy and Innovation Analyst, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Libby Nelson
Education Reporter, Vox

Moderator: 

Rachel Black
Senior Policy Analyst, Asset Building Program, New America

This research was supported by a grant from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. All results, interpretations and conclusions expressed are those of the research team alone, and do not necessarily represent the views of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation or any of its affiliated companies. No portion of this work may be reproduced, cited, or circulated without the express written permission of the author(s).

FINRA Investor Education Foundation

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation, established in 2003 by FINRA, supports innovative research and educational projects that give underserved Americans the knowledge, skills and tools necessary for financial success throughout life. For details about grant programs and other FINRA Foundation initiatives, visit www.finrafoundation.org.